Background Ionising Radiation and Estimated Health Risk in Cereal Farmland in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Radionuclides are found in soils, plants, vegetables, fruits and in farmlands. These radionuclides contaminate the farmland, environment, the cereal, food products and could cause deleterious effect on both animals and human beings when ingested or inhaled. The farmland is owned by a government research institute with a mandate to develop improved varieties of some cereal plants. In situ measurement of the background ionising radiation was conducted with a radiation survey meter which measured the exposures in micro Seviert per hour and the expected health indicators risk on the workers evaluated.The mean BIR measured was obtained as 0.097µSv/hr. The annual equivalent dose rate of radiation obtained in the farm was range between 0.1033 to 0.3328 mSv/yr with a mean value of 0.1699 mSv/yr. The mean annual effective dose rate of 0.1190 mSv/yr was obtained while the mean calculated ECLR is 0.416 X 10-3. The AEDR obtained in this study is lower than the international commission on radiation protection recommended safety limit for the public but higher than values from many works in dumpsites. The ECLR value for this work is higher than the recommended safe value, an indication of potential health risk for the workers and inhabitant of the farmland. Therefore regulatory controls are necessary which include workers spending fewer periods in the farmland and decontamination of the farm. Keywords: Gamma radiation, occupational risk, Annual effective dose rate, National Cereal Institute, Uyo

Thermal Properties of Clay Soil from Uruan River Bank in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Clay soils are widely used in Akwa Ibom State for various purposes that require cooling. It is made into pots for storage of drinking water and as walling material. Clay soils are used as a potential thermal insulator for shelters and there is need for the thermal properties of the clay sample to be investigated. The thermal properties of clay soils from selected parts of Akwa Ibom State have previously been investigated but clay from other parts are yet to be investigated; hence this study investigates the thermal properties of clay soil from Uruan local government area of the state. The result shows that the clay has a mean thermal conductivity of 0.393 Wm-1K-1; mean bulk density of 1.69 ×10-3 kg/m3; mean thermal diffusivity of 1.98m2s-1 and mean thermal resistivity is 2.55 mkW-1. The results show that the clay from Uruan, Nigeria has the lowest absorptivity compared to the clay samples from the areas studied so far.  The temperature predictor model also shows that the clay presents the least temperature value during the highest daytime of between 13 hours and 14 hours. The resistivity and thermal conductivity compares better with the values for kaolin obtained elsewhere showing that the clay sample from Uruan local government area, Nigeria contains kaolin. Keywords: Clay, thermal properties, Uruan, conductivity, resistivity     

ROOT GROWTH AND MOISTURE UTILIZATION BY COWPEA (Vigna unquiculata) GROWN ON CRUDE-OIL POLLUTED SOIL

Daily and cumulative root elongation (Re

Entrance Surface Air Kerma for Chest X-ray Examination in some Diagnostic Radiologic Facilities in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

This study evaluated patient doses in diagnostic radiology facilities in Akwa Ibom State. Patient doses were evaluated using equations and software. One thousand five hundred and forty one (1541) patients took part in the study. Eight hundred and six (52.3 %) were female while six hundred and thirty five were male patients. Sixty  percent (60 %) patients were of mean  age group below 50 years, and 40 % of the patients were of mean aged above 50 years, their mean body thickness  range between 6.5-8.0 Kg/m, their height range between 1.5-1.7 cm and mean body mass range between 43.2-82.0 Kg. The ESAK value obtained from the software ranged between (0.38-1.69) mGy for male and  female ESAK ranged (0.37-1.69) mGy while  0.015 – 0.091mGy for male nd 0.015- 0.095 mGy for female were obtained from equation. This study shows that, 6 facilities representing 66.6 % of the facilities recorded mean ESAK values that are within the UK range while only 3 facilities representing 33.3 % recorded ESAK higher than the UK range but within the Montenegro and Serbian range.  Mean ED (mSv) values obtained for the examinations in the different facilities show ED ranges of (0.03-0.12) mSv. The differences in mass and height of patients affect the ESAK value from equation because body thickness of the patient depends on body mass and height. Other reasons for this dose variation are chiefly human factor

Antiplasmodial and analgesic activities of Clausena anisata

AbstractObjectiveAntiplasmodial and analgesic activities of the leaf extract and fractions of Clausena anisata (C. anisata) were evaluated for antimalarial and analgesic activities.MethodsThe crude leaf extract (39–117 mg/kg) and fractions (chloroform and acqeous; 78 mg/kg) of C. anisata were investigated for antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei (P. berghei) infections in mice using suppressive, prophylactic and curative models and analgesic activity against acetic acid, formalin and heat-induced pains. Artesunate, 5 mg/kg and pyrimethamine, 1.2 mg/kg were used as positive controls. Thin films made from tail blood of each mouse were used to assess the level of parasitaemia of the mice.ResultsThe extract and its fractions dose-dependently reduced parasitaemia induced by chloroquine-sensitive P. berghei in prophylactic, suppressive and curative models in mice. These reductions were statistically significant (P<0.001). They also improved the mean survival time (MST) from 17 to 21 days relative to control (P<0.01 − 0.001). On chemically and thermally-induced pains, the extract inhibited acetic acid and formalin-induced inflammation as well as hot plate-induced pain in mice. These inhibitions were statistically significant (P<0.001) and in a dose-dependent fashion.ConclusionsThe antiplasmodial and analgesic effects of this plant may in part be mediated through its chemical constituents and it can be concluded that the C. anisata possess significant antimalarial and analgesic properties

Assessing Image Classification Accuracy with Principal Component Analysis Algorithm Case Study: Odeda LGA of Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria

The aim of this study is to assess image classification accuracy using the instrumentality of Principal Component Analysis (PCA). It is focused on evaluating the accruable benefits of Principal Component Analysis as part of an image preprocessing procedure for image classification. Land use land cover (LULC) and accuracy assessment datasets were obtained with remote sensing and geographic information system’s software. The principal component analysis was statistically used to assess the level of correlation amongst bands in Landsat 8. The image classification was premised on the Maximum Likelihood classifier for land use land cover analysis. To ascertain the accuracy of the classified images, the Producer’s accuracy, User’s accuracy and Kappa coefficient derivatives of accuracy assessment was calculated. The results revealed that the first three PCs of the raw Landsat data accounted for 99.37 % variance of the original Landsat data, while the last three PCs represented only 0.63% of the original data. The results of land use land cover based on raw bands composite were Forest (41%), Shrubs (33%) and Built-up (26%) respectively. On the other hand, land use land cover based on Principal Component Analysis showed Forest (39%), Shrubs (39%) and Built-up (22%) respectively. Comparing the results of Kappa coefficients of both LULC of raw bands’ composite was 0.88 while that of PCA was 0.91. Conclusively, there is a significant level of difference in the classification outputs of PCA derived classification and that of raw Landsat bands’ composite

Thyroid function in hypertensives in South-South Nigeria

Background: Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease afflicting humans. It has been reported that hypertensive patients may have a tendency for impaired thyroid function but, these results have not always been confirmed. The aim of this study therefore was to determine the serum level of thyroid hormones in hypertensive subjects and any possible relationship between serum thyroid hormone levels and hypertension.Methods: Blood samples were consecutively obtained from One hundred and seventy (170) consenting subjects. One hundred were hypertensive subjects while seventy subjects were normotensive controls. Triiodothyronine (T3), Thyroxine (T4) and Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were analyzed using ELISA kits. Data was analyzed using student “t” test and analysis of variance. The difference was considered statistically significant at p < 0.05.Results: The mean serum TSH value for hypertensive subjects was 3.01±2.42 µIu/ml and was significantly higher (p<0.0001) than that of the normotensive subjects (1.74±0.92 µIu/ml). Female hypertensive subjects had significantly higher (3.34±2.74 µIu/ml) mean TSH than the female normotensives with mean value of 1.79±0.86 µIu/ml (p<0.002). Mean TSH value for male hypertensive subjects was 2.78±2.4 µIu/ml and was significantly higher (p<0.007) than that of male normotensive subjects (1.72±0.96 µIu/ml). There were no significant differences in the mean serum T3 and T4 levels of hypertensives compared to the normotensives.Conclusions: It is concluded that the hypertensive subjects in this study required significantly higher (p<0.05) stimulation input, as measured from the level of thyroid stimulating hormone, to maintain the same level of thyroid hormones as their normotensive counterparts.

Commercial tricycle riders’ perceptions of psychoactive drug use and the risk of road traffic accidents in Uyo, Nigeria

This article reports qualitative interview study on commercial tricycle riders’ perceptions of psychoactive drug use and the risk of road traffic accidents in Nigeria. A purposive sampling method was used to recruit ninety-four (n=94) commercial tricycle riders in Uyo, Nigeria. Data were collected through in-depth, individual interviews. Inductive and thematic analyses were undertaken on the interview transcripts. The tricycle riders reported frequently consuming significant quantities of licit and illicit drugs, including alcohol, cannabis, cocaine and heroin. They attributed drug use to occupational hazards such as stress, fatigue and exhaustion. They recognized the effects of psychoactive drug use on tricycle riding, including impairment of vision, coordination and navigational abilities, and how these increase the risk of traffic accidents. Education, routine screening for drug use, curbing bribery and corruption among road safety officials, and curtailing availability of psychoactive drugs were recommended as measures for preventing drug use and road traffic accidents. Findings indicate significant overlap between lay and expert views on the risk factors for traffic accidents and counter-measures, highlighting the need to integrate lay perspectives into policy and action on road safety to improve outcomes.Keywords: Commercial tricycle riders, psychoactive drugs, road traffic accident

A Survey of Gastrointestinal Helminthes of Local Chickens in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State

Rural Poultry as practiced by the rural population is both for consumption and for income generation during festive seasons. The practice of allowing the birds to scavenge for food in the neighbourhood exposes them to disease. This research was an active surveillance of worms which parasitize these rural birds using saturated the salt floatation method. Two hundred sterile samples of the faeces of 200 rural birds were collected randomly from 10 villages in Abak Local government Area. These were transported immediately for analysis in the laboratory using floatation method with saturated salt solution. Viewing with X10 microscope it was discovered that out of the 200 samples examined for helminthes, Ascaris gallinarium was found in 92 samples or (46%), Heterakis Spp was seen with 62 0r 31% positions, Capillaria Spp was 58 or 29% and Strongyles Spp was 46 or 23%. The least was Raillietina Spp which was found in only 22 (11%). This study to the best of my knowledge is the first attempt to research into the types of worm parasites found in local birds, though it has been conducted in other parts of Nigeria and the World over. It was concluded that there is a light prevalence of helminthes in Abak in rural birds, which will lead to high loses. This we advice for educate the rural community in better husbandry practice to preserve the rural poultry population

Effects of Livelihood Sustenance Activities on Off-Farm Income of Poultry Farmers in IMO State, Nigeria

The study analysed the off farm income and its effect on livelihood sustenance of poultry farmers in Imo state.Multistage sampling technique was used to select 120 respondents. Data for the study were obtained with the aid of structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and ordinary least square bivariate regression model. Results showed that: the mean off-farm income of poultry farmers was N410223 per annum. Livelihood sustenance activities of poultry farmers positively and significantly affected their off-farm income. It is recommend that government should come up policies that will center on establishment of more livelihood sustenance activities for poultry farmers that will generate increased off-farm income and promote agricultural development simultaneously